Service management volunteer roles

Our trustees and non-executive directors play a vital role in making sure that the group achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that there is a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.

Just as importantly, they support and challenge the CEO and executive team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs, to enable Thrive Social Housing and Emerging Futures CIC to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.

The Board operates under the leadership and guidance of the chair and works in partnership with the chief executive officer and the executive team.

Board members are expected to always act in the best interests of the organisation and its stakeholders, and to use their background knowledge and skills to work with the chair and other board members to ensure that the Board, supported by its committees, carries out its responsibilities effectively and lead from the top in demonstrating our culture, values and behaviours.

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

The Organisation

Founded in 1946, United Bible Societies is a global fellowship of 156 Bible Societies working across more than 240 countries and territories, united by a shared mission: to make the Bible available and accessible to everyone, everywhere, in a language they understand and a format they can use.

Together, Bible Societies translate, publish, distribute, and support meaningful engagement with Scripture through a wide range of programmes and initiatives. Today, more than 6 billion people have access to the Bible in their heart language, with United Bible Societies having contributed to 70% of the world’s full Bible translations.

As the service organisation for the Fellowship, United Bible Societies Association provides strategic and operational support to help Bible Societies thrive in their local contexts. This includes translation and publishing expertise, international grant management, governance support, and organisational development.

As UBS celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026, the organisation continues to look ahead with ambition and commitment to its vision of “the Bible for everyone.”

The Role

We are pleased to present this opportunity to join United Bible Societies Association as an Independent Board Member and Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. This is an opportunity to play an important role in supporting the governance, financial stewardship, and strategic direction of a global Christian organisation with significant international reach and impact.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Chairing the Finance & Audit Committee, including setting agendas and leading discussions across committee meetings each year.
• Playing a full and active role as a member of the Board of Trustees, contributing to the overall governance and strategic direction of UBSA.
• Overseeing financial governance, risk management, audit, and internal control arrangements across the organisation.
• Supporting and providing constructive challenge to the Finance Director and Chief Operating Officer.
• Monitoring the organisation’s financial health and ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and governance requirements.
• Ensuring appropriate controls are in place to manage risk, safeguard assets, and address conflicts of interest appropriately.
• Helping shape the effectiveness and composition of the Finance & Audit Committee to ensure an appropriate balance of skills and experience.
• Supporting the mission and values of the organisation and, as a Christian, being committed to the furtherance of Bible ministry within an inter-confessional context.

The Person

We are seeking a passionate, values-driven leader, inspired by our mission and ready to contribute their expertise, time, and insight. As an independent Board member you will work collaboratively with fellow Trustees to guide United Bible Societies Association through an evolving global landscape and help deliver meaningful, sustainable impact across the Fellowship.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following:

• A committed Christian of any denominational background, with a passion for the Bible.
• Openness and respect for the diverse traditions within the Christian Church.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in a strategic leadership role, ideally within an international context and familiarity with UK or comparable regulatory environments.
• Experience of committee work and strong understanding of good governance.
• Strategic thinking skills, sound independent judgement, and the ability to approach challenges creatively.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to exercise authority effectively within a collegiate Board environment.
• Openness to differing perspectives and the ability to engage constructively in robust discussion and debate.
• Experience in risk management, with an ability to balance prudent governance with faith-driven purpose.
• Independence: no prior service as a Board member or employee of a Bible Society.

TRUSTEE VACANCY | COVENTRY CITIZENS ADVICE
Volunteer | Board Role | Coventry | ~5–7 hours/month | Reviewed regularly

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Coventry Citizens Advice is recruiting new trustees to join its Board of Directors.

We are one of the largest local Citizens Advice charities in England, helping more than 14,000 people each year with issues including debt, housing, welfare benefits and fuel poverty. For over 80 years we have been a trusted source of free, independent advice for the people of Coventry — and demand for our services has never been higher.

This is a genuine governance role. You will help set our strategic direction, oversee our finances, ensure we meet our legal duties as a charity, and hold the organisation accountable to the communities it serves. We want trustees who engage with the detail and bring their professional judgement to decisions that matter.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

No previous trustee or board experience is required — just sound independent judgement, strong communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience in:
→ Law
→ Fundraising
→ Research and Campaigns

These areas are of direct strategic importance to our work, and applicants with this background will be especially welcomed.

THE ROLE

- Time commitment: approximately 5–7 hours per month (meetings held in the evenings)
- Voluntary and unpaid; reasonable expenses reimbursed
- Full induction and ongoing training provided

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

- Real experience of charity governance and strategic leadership
- Development of financial, legal and governance skills
- A meaningful leadership credential for your CV
- The opportunity to make a direct difference to thousands of lives in Coventry

WHO WE WANT TO HEAR FROM

We are committed to a board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. All backgrounds and employment histories are welcome.

HOW TO APPLY

Download the application form and read our Trustee Recruitment Pack.

Please do not send a CV without an application form — it will not receive a response.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Closing date: 30 July 2026.

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Coventry Citizens Advice | 1–7 Station Street East, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5FL
Registered charity. Trustee positions are voluntary and unpaid.

We are honoured to be supporting the wonderful Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People to recruit a new Chair of the Board.

Rainbows Hospice for Children & Young People is based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, and is the only Hospice across the East Midlands that delivers a comprehensive range of support services, nursing and care for babies, children and young people with life threatening and life limiting conditions and their families.

We are seeking an outstanding Chair of Trustees to lead our Board and support the Chief Executive in ensuring the hospice’s strategic direction, governance, and long-term sustainability.
 

Purpose of the Role

The Chair provides leadership to the Board, ensuring effective governance, strategic oversight, and strong support and challenge to the executive team. The Chair also works with the executive team to develop external relationships.
 

Leadership & Governance

• Provide clear leadership to the Board, ensuring it operates effectively and in line with charity governance standards and the Charity Commission’s expectations.
• Ensure the Board fulfils its duties to safeguard the organisation’s mission, assets, reputation, and beneficiaries.
• Lead on Board development, ensuring a high-performing, diverse, and properly skilled Board of Trustees.
• Work closely with the Vice Chair and Committee Chairs to ensure committee structures function efficiently.
 

Strategic Oversight

• Work with the Board and Chief Executive to set the organisation’s long-term vision, strategic objectives, and measurable success indicators.
• Ensure appropriate strategic oversight of clinical services, safeguarding, quality frameworks, finance, and fundraising.
• Support robust risk management processes and long-term financial planning.

Relationship with the Chief Executive

• Develop a strong, constructive, and supportive relationship with the Chief Executive.
• Provide regular guidance, support, and challenge as needed.
• Undertake the Chief Executive’s annual appraisal and support their personal development.

External Representation

• Represent the hospice at key events, meetings, and media opportunities where appropriate.
• To represent the charity at meeting with key supporters or potential supporters, supporting our fundraising activities.

Board Meetings & Governance Processes

• Chair Board meetings effectively, ensuring inclusive debate, timely decisions, and high-quality governance practice.
• Ensure trustees receive accurate, timely, and relevant information to support informed decision making.
• Oversee governance policies, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
 

Application

The best Boards are diverse, with people who have a real understanding of the needs to be met and others who have specific skills and knowledge that can complement that. Rainbows supports babies, children, young people and their families from many multi cultural and multi-ethnic communities across the East Midlands. We welcome applications reflective of the region and rich diversity of the communities we serve.

For more information, please download the job pack attached above.

The closing date is Monday 15th June 2026

Valued Recruitment is working exclusively with Rainbows. We are an ethical recruitment company, intent on hiring inclusively and transparently.

Accessibility is incredibly important to us here at Valued Recruitment and at Rainbows. If you would like any accessibility amendments or support throughout the application and interview stage, please don’t hesitate to let us know. No question or request is too big or too small. We want this process to be comfortable and enjoyable and a chance for you to bring your best self to the process.

Do you enjoy greeting people and making them feel welcome? Recently retired and want to give a few hours for a good cause? Or perhaps you’re starting out on your employment journey but need experience to help you land a future job? Becoming a Volunteer Retail Assistant is the perfect opportunity for you!

As one of our valued Volunteer Retail Assistants in our York Goodramgate shop, you will be at the heart of our retail experience, welcoming members of the public and serving at the till. It will be a varied role with no two shifts being the same. From helping someone find a perfect gift or finishing touch to an outfit, to putting through cash and card sales at the till, we’d love you to come and join our busy, friendly shop.

Volunteer Retail Assistants will be located primarily on the shop floor, dealing with queries, pricing items, using the till, and ensuring our shops are the best on the high street. Without you, we couldn't provide needed support to the York Animal Home, so we want to ensure you feel welcomed and supported. You will receive full training in all retail areas, with continued development available in your volunteer journey. If you’re looking to gain confidence to get back into work, or simply want to find somewhere to make connections, we have a role for you.

Every single penny raised in our charity shop goes directly to the York Animal Home and gives vital funds to ensure they can continue helping animals in need. Without your help our shops could not run; volunteers are what make us special and we would love to have you join our team.

Your duties:

These may involve (on any given day):

• Giving a warm and friendly welcome as people enter our shop
• Helping with queries about items
• Putting cash and card sales through our till
• Engaging visitors about our charity and promoting the York Animal Home and our links to it
• Processing Gift Aid donations
• Restocking our shelves and making them look eye-catching

And much more…

If you’re interested please don’t hesitate to hit the apply button. Alternatively if you’d like to find out more, please email our Goodramgate manager, Holly who will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

We operate a volunteer led scheme, where our minimum requirement is 2 hours a week, and the maximum is whatever you would like it to be! If you are looking to add experience to your CV we ask that you commit to six months with us.

Due to insurance restrictions we are sorry that we cannot accept anyone under the age of 16.

Our Shop Volunteers raise money for the people we support with a Learning Disability. Do you have a few hours a week to spare and share your time with us?

Our retail roles are varied and fun. You could be sorting donations from the public, dressing our window or serving customers on the till. There are many people from different walks of life and it's a great way to get practical experience and to meet new people.

This role will take place on a weekly basis for a few hours We will try our best to be flexible around the best time for you, but also need to consider the store opening times and volunteer rota. It could be a weekday or weekend, morning or afternoon, our stores are usually open 7 days a week. We’d appreciate any time that you can spare.

Whilst in the store, you will help with activities based on the needs of the Store Manager. 

Tasks you could get up to whilst volunteering could include:

• Serving customers on the till
• Taking stock donations from the public
• Tagging and steaming stock for the shop floor
• Dressing the window displays
• Asking people to join us as a volunteer

As a Retail Volunteer you will be:

• Friendly and Approachable
• Reliable, Kind and Patient
• A good communicator (including listener)
• Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

As a Mencap volunteer you will:

• Make new friends and raise important funds for people with a learning disability
• Get reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
• Receive full Training and support
• Volunteer alongside other people
• Have a chance to give back your local community

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

Our shops help raise vital funds, and volunteering with us is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, and join a fantastic team.

On site we have two shops to volunteer in. The Showroom is Martlets primary furniture and home goods store and the Discount Shop is home to our £1 clothing rails. Both are hubs for our local community to share stories and bag a bargain! We work together with the warehouse to take in the majority of donations for the charity.

Volunteering in our shops offers a variety of exciting tasks. From sorting and pricing donations to spotting hidden gems, you'll roll up your sleeves in the backroom and assist on the shop floor. Engaging with customers is key, whether you're serving with a smile, working the till or helping donors complete Gift Aid forms.

We are seeking an organised and enthusiastic Volunteer Recruitment Officer to utilise their excellent administrative and personal skills to advertise for, shortlist and onboard new volunteers.

Location: Remote (although ability to join occasional face-to-face training and meetings in Bounds Green desirable)

About Bounds Green Food Bank: 

Open since June 2020, we serve over 4,600 children and adults in the community. We are committed to improving lives by providing food and essential household items to build a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow. We strive to promote social inclusion by supporting people who find themselves in crisis where they need assistance to feed themselves and their families.

The role: 

• Liaise with different team leads to create enticing job descriptions for new volunteer roles

• Post and manage volunteer adverts on different recruitment websites like Indeed, Charity Job and Third Sector Jobs

• Review applications and shortlist suitable applicants, which will include speaking with them to answer questions and collaborating with the relevant team lead to organise interviews or opportunities to visit us to learn more

• Update the database with applicant contact points and recruitment progress

• Support with onboarding new volunteers, e.g. ensuring they have completed the relevant registration forms, provided any necessary documents,and are able to join our on-line communities. 

Person specification: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English

• Fantastic organisational skills

• Experience in administrative or recruitment roles desirable but not essential

• Willing to learn about what we do and why, to engage applicants to join us

Benefits:

• Give back to the community - one of the NHS’ 5 Ways to Wellbeing!

• Upskill on a range of topics, e.g. customer service, interpersonal skills, organisational abilities and health and safety

• Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers

Job title: Grief In Pieces Honorary Therapists X 2

Responsible to: Senior Suicide Bereavement Practitioner and Clinical Services Manager

Hours: Up to 3 clients per week, 2 hours fortnightly supervision

Contract Length: 12 Months (with option to extend)

Location: Office is located 12 Orsman Road N1 5QJ/Remote

We are recruiting for a clinical placement at Mind City, Hackney and Waltham Forest in the Grief in Pieces: Support for Suicide Loss Team, Psychological Therapies & Wellbeing Department 

A placement in the Grief in Pieces: Support for Suicide Loss team is an opportunity to work in a specialist postvention service, offering 1-2-1 grief counselling to community members bereaved by suicide. This would be a highly valuable honorary placement, where, among other things, you would strengthen your working knowledge of complicated and traumatic grief, and the complexity of the loss and trauma specific to suicide loss. You would have recourse to the team’s expertise and clinical supervision in this area, and you would develop your therapeutic skills through delivering a highly impactful grief counselling model which gently facilitates a process of ‘expressing, connecting and honouring’ with the eventual aim of an individualised journey of post-traumatic growth. 

What are we looking for from our Honorary Therapists (Grief in Pieces):

· Prior experience, at least 100 hours supervised, one to one, clinical work. This placement is best suited as a second or third placement and not a first.

· Be working towards a qualification on a minimum level 5 equivalent course

· Some training in working remotely (online therapeutic work) 

· Availability for one afternoon/evening a week to see up to three clients in-person

· Flexibility to work with clients remotely as is needed, from Mind CHWF premises. It is important that you have a good working laptop from which these can be delivered.

· Availability to attend fortnightly supervision, online 

· Have lived experience of mental health and/or suicidality

· To adhere to the code of practice of their registering body, be professional, kind, compassionate, to have initiative and maintain communications with their colleagues appropriately

· To read, understand and follow the procedures and policies of Mind CHWF

· Attending personal therapy once a week, throughout their placement 

· Candidates able to commit to a minimum of a one-year placement (12 full months). 

We also welcome applications from newly qualified therapists who are seeking to expand their experience and gain clinical hours towards accreditation. We encourage applications from those who speak one or more community languages and from those who reflect the rich diversity of our clients.

DBS clearance at Enhanced (without Barring) is required for this role, for which Mind CHWF will pay.

How to apply:

To be considered for this post, we need to receive the:

1. Completed volunteer application form; and

2. Attach your CV as well.

3.  Please write a cover letter about your training and experience and touch on the below criteria:

Awareness of complicated grief and trauma

Awareness of transcultural issues in counselling 

Awareness of LGBTQI+ and what Intersectionality means to you and your practice 

Working in a time limited way and with complexity and risk

Why training and your future aspirations 

You can find the job description and application form on our website. 

The closing date is by 9th June 2026, however, please do not delay applying as this advert may close before the stated deadline if we find a suitable applicant for the role.

We are a disability confident employer. All applicants with a disability, who meet the minimum essential short-listing criteria are guaranteed an interview. If this applies to you, please let us know in your application.

Your privacy and the security of your data is our top priority. Please take a moment to read through our applicant’s privacy notice.

The closing date is by 19th June 2026, however, please do not delay applying as this advert may close before the stated deadline if we find a suitable applicant for the role.

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Portsmouth are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.